The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1887-04-08
.;INlMY ROWELL.
And How he Rescued Little Kit
tie Nichols

Noon glared upon the wide. scared
flats and the rickety buildings of Plain
vile. 1t was the midday of that brie
season-the "St. Martins Summer" O
the Frenchman-which, between No
vember and December. lends passing
brightness to the sky and warmth to tn,
air. Not a flake of snow lay on the
withered grass; no frost had yet bount
the soil; only the long howl of The
gale, morning and evening, suggested
the period of storms. Even old set
tiers, whose staunch champions OF the
superior days that were, owned the
matchless beauty and serenity of the
season.
The desolate station hustled tina,
day with unusual activity. Ponies
were fastened, singly or in groups. al
the different hitching-places. Men
were saddling them, loosening straps,
adjusting buckles, ordering, criticising,
chatting one another in the reckless
fashion of the West, where they joke
over every thing. from murder up to
an Indian raid. That the present ex-
citement, however. had a slighter
cause might be inferred from the
crowds unchecked and extravagant
nirth.
They were to have started at sunrise.
and of course were nearly ready by
noon. Having waited SO long the party
moved an adjournment for dinner.
The proposition finding favor sundry
fires were kindied, and the air made
fragrant with the steam from boiling
coffee. and frying pork. Talk few
back and forth, as the rough cooks
moved about. The keen wit Of the
frontier is the keenest at meal times.
Dinner being dispatched, the last loi-
terer was springing to the saddle when
a boy of about sixteen, mounted on a
weary-looking white pony, rode up to
the group.
Heaven save us!' growled tall
fellow to his neighbor. ..Ef thar AIM
Jimmy Rowell, always late and never
left. I'll be-blessed, eff I wouldn't
like TO give the little rooster shakin'
for his Impotence
Don't tell him So" returned the
other, laughing shortly. Lets ride
on, Jake"
mot muchw said Jake, facing the
newcomer with a scowl meant to be
impressive.
Long Jake's scowl was calculated to
make an impression. He was lean.
dark-browed fellow, with a skin hard
and brown as leather, deep-set, keen
black eyes. and struggling black
beard. One cheek was strangely de-
formed. by a long. repulsive scar.
which. perhaps, gave rise to the report
that he had been guerrilla. He had
not been long in that district. and,
though expert in the arts of the cattle
camp, was not a general favorite.
To Jim Rowell he had taken a posi-.
tive dislike. as cordially returned. The
two seldom met without a worly
skirmish. IN which the elder was often
worsted. to the great delight of his
comrades. Jim. wi h his daring spirit,
his bold. ready replies, and uncommon
.'smartncss," was a kind of pc,
among them-a position not always
tending to further his best interests.
well, JIM" announced Jake, sol.
emily. "ef I'd a boy with no more
sense than you've got I'd kill him
while he was easy to kill, that's all.
What's up now?"
Nothing, " retorted the boy, quiet.
~ peeling his willow switch, .'except
that they're going to hang you in the
morning"
A burst of laughter greeted this
speech, and the herder, turning his
horses head. rode off at full speed,
Jimmy and his friends following suit.
what brought You up in such a
hurry, young man." asked the stout,
jolly Al Thompson. Ibid you hear
where We were going9"
mo-" answered Jimmy, rather
gloomily. "A little girls beeu lost
down our way, and they're hunting fol-
her every where. thought some body
round here mi ght have seen her.
Where are all you fellows going. any
how? Far?'
"Well, / should rather ledge SO.
You know old Abe?''
THAT big brindle steer no one can
catch?'
1.-The same. Tom jenkins calls him
his n, but b'lieve he was with Injuns
.lfore he came on this range. 1t don't
matter. He might b'long to the devil.
for no fence kin STAN agin him. Well.
we're all agoin' to hunt him down and
You bet we'll have some fun!'
Il wish could CO." sighed Jimmy.
''Come right along. them" was the
mans invitation. turning his bearded
face full on the hesitating listener.
This is the very best chance to find
the little girl, and your folks needn't
Anow nothing more. Wen spare
grub and you kin help US along. Come
on"
'.I-don't know-yes. I will." pro
nounced Jimmy, rapidly changing the
uncertain for the resolute tone, as he
started up bis reluctant pony.